- National portion: 90 questions, 100 points, 150 minutes; passing score is 75 points.
- State portion: 40 scored questions, 90 minutes; passing score is 30 points.
- PSI Services LLC charges $134 per sitting regardless of one or both portions.
- Contracts (19%) and Agency (13%) carry the heaviest National weight - prioritize them.
Exam Snapshot: Fees, Timing, Format
Before you memorize a single domain fact, lock in the mechanics of the exam itself. The North Dakota Real Estate Commission sets licensing policy, but PSI Services LLC actually builds and administers the test. That distinction matters because scheduling, fees, and test-day rules run through PSI, not the Commission office.
Here is the one-page version of what candidates need to know before test day:
| Item | National Portion | State Portion |
|---|---|---|
| Question Count | 90 questions (100 points) | 40 scored questions |
| Time Allowed | 150 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Passing Score | 75 points | 30 points |
| PSI Fee | $134 total (covers one or both portions) | $134 total (covers one or both portions) |
The exam is computer based and strictly closed book - no reference sheets, no personal calculator, no notes. PSI may also insert 5 to 10 unscored experimental questions into the National portion, so an item that feels unusually oddly worded may simply not count toward your score. Do not let it rattle your pacing.
The Passing Numbers You Cannot Forget
The most commonly misquoted detail in NDREB prep is the passing threshold. Write this on an index card:
- National: 75 points out of 100 possible points.
- State: 30 points out of the scored 40-question set.
Notice that National scoring is point-based, not purely question-count-based. Some scenario-based "best-answer" items are worth 0, 1, or 2 points depending on how closely your selected answer matches the ideal response. That means partial credit is possible on certain items - a detail that changes how you should approach ambiguous scenario questions during the exam. For a deeper breakdown of how scoring actually works, review the NDREB Passing Score 2026 guide.
Key Takeaway
Because National questions can award partial points, never leave a scenario question blank - a partially correct choice still contributes to your 75-point target.
Domain-by-Domain Cheat Sheet
PSI publishes eleven weighted National content areas. Memorize the weights below so your study hours match the exam's actual emphasis rather than your personal comfort zone.
Domain 5: Contracts (19%)
The single heaviest domain on the exam. Expect scenario questions on offer/acceptance, contingencies, remedies for breach, and listing versus buyer agreements.
- Know the elements of a valid contract cold
- Understand remedies: rescission, specific performance, liquidated damages
Domain 6: Agency (13%)
Fiduciary duties, agency disclosure, and dual agency scenarios dominate this section. Broker-level candidates are tested on supervisory agency responsibilities, not just salesperson basics.
- Distinguish fiduciary duties from general duties owed to customers
- Know disclosure timing requirements
Domain 10: Practice of Real Estate (12%)
Covers day-to-day brokerage operations, license law compliance, and broker oversight responsibilities - a natural extension of the broker-level experience requirement.
- Trust account handling and recordkeeping
- Advertising and disclosure compliance
Domain 1: Property Ownership (10%)
Estates in land, forms of ownership, and encumbrances. A foundational domain that supports several others, including Transfer of Title.
- Fee simple vs. life estate vs. leasehold distinctions
- Joint tenancy, tenancy in common, community property basics
Domain 4: Financing (9%)
Loan types, amortization concepts, and underwriting basics. Pairs closely with Domain 11's calculation-heavy questions.
- Conventional vs. government-backed loan features
- Basic loan-to-value and qualification concepts
Domain 3: Valuation (8%)
Appraisal approaches and factors influencing market value. Expect comparison-based scenario questions rather than rote definitions.
- Sales comparison, cost, and income approaches
- Factors that influence appraised value
Domain 7: Property Disclosures (7%)
Seller disclosure obligations and material fact rules. Often tested alongside agency duties.
- What counts as a material fact
- Consequences of nondisclosure
Domain 9: Transfer of Title (6%)
Deeds, closing mechanics, and title transfer requirements.
- Deed types and required elements
- Recording and title insurance basics
Domain 11: Real Estate Calculations (6%)
Math-based questions covering commission splits, prorations, and area calculations - remember, no calculator is allowed.
- Practice mental math and long division under time pressure
- Master proration formulas for taxes and rent
Domain 2: Land Use Controls (5%) & Domain 8: Property Management (5%)
Smaller weight, but still scored. Land Use Controls covers zoning and easements; Property Management covers landlord-tenant basics and lease administration.
- Zoning variances and nonconforming use
- Lease types and management agreement duties
For the complete breakdown of every content area with study priorities, see the NDREB Exam Domains 2026 guide. Remember that this weighting applies to the National portion only - the State portion covers four unweighted statutory areas specific to North Dakota practice, so don't assume the same percentages apply there.
How NDREB Questions Are Actually Written
Broker-level National items are not simple recall questions. Many are scenario-based "best-answer" formats where multiple choices are technically defensible, but one aligns most closely with correct broker practice. This is why the exam awards 0, 1, or 2 points per item rather than a flat right/wrong score.
Practical implications for your prep:
- Read the full scenario before looking at answer choices - key details are often buried in the middle of the paragraph.
- Eliminate answers that are factually wrong first, then choose between the remaining options based on which reflects the broker's highest duty (usually fiduciary or supervisory responsibility).
- Expect a handful of unscored experimental questions mixed in; treat every question the same way rather than trying to guess which ones don't count.
If you want a realistic feel for this question style before test day, working through timed practice sets on our practice test platform is the fastest way to internalize the pacing and phrasing PSI uses. For a broader discussion of what makes this exam challenging, read How Hard Is the NDREB Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026.
Eligibility Quick-Reference
Before you even schedule a PSI seat, confirm you meet North Dakota's broker eligibility criteria:
- At least 18 years old
- At least two years of full-time licensed salesperson experience, or substantially equivalent experience
- Completion of a 60-hour NDREC-certified broker prelicensing course within two years of applying
- Satisfaction of credit and criminal-history requirements
- A favorable broker assessment from the Commission
- Passing scores on both the National and State portions
- Active errors-and-omissions coverage before practicing as a broker
Missing any one of these can delay your application even if you pass the exam itself. The full checklist, including documentation tips, is covered in NDREB Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify.
Retakes, Renewal, and Ongoing Costs
If you fail one or both portions, North Dakota does not cap the number of retakes - you may retest without limit within a 12-month period. That said, each retake still requires paying the applicable PSI fee, so failing a section is a cost problem as much as a knowledge problem.
Once licensed, broker credentials renew annually for $150, and active resident brokers generally complete 12 hours of continuing education to keep the license current. Building these recurring costs into your long-term planning is smart - see Is the NDREB Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 for how the numbers play out over a multi-year career.
Final-Week Review Plan
In the last stretch before your PSI appointment, structure your remaining hours around domain weight rather than personal preference. Heavier domains deserve heavier review time.
Contracts & Agency
- Drill scenario questions on Domain 5 and Domain 6 - together they represent 32% of National weight
- Review fiduciary duty definitions until they're automatic
Practice of Real Estate & Property Ownership
- Cover Domain 10 broker-oversight rules and Domain 1 ownership forms
- Cross-reference State-specific statutory areas alongside these National topics
Financing, Valuation, Calculations
- Practice Domain 11 math problems by hand - no calculator on exam day
- Review Domain 4 loan types and Domain 3 appraisal approaches together
Lighter Domains & Full Simulation
- Quick review of Land Use Controls, Property Management, Transfer of Title, and Disclosures
- Take a full timed practice run to rehearse the 150-minute and 90-minute pacing
For a longer-horizon plan that starts weeks earlier rather than days, see the NDREB Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt. And if you haven't confirmed your test date yet, check NDREB Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling before finalizing this timeline.
Key Takeaway
Spend your final review hours proportional to domain weight: Contracts and Agency alone account for nearly a third of the National score.
Where This Exam Fits Your Career Path
Passing the NDREB is the gateway to supervising a brokerage, managing agents, and taking on the added liability that comes with a broker license. Firms hiring for broker-level roles expect candidates to already hold this credential, since it signals both the two years of salesperson experience and completion of the 60-hour broker course. If you're weighing how this credential affects your earning potential and job prospects, the NDREB Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis and NDREB Jobs pages walk through the practical career outcomes in more detail.
It's also worth understanding how your results compare to other candidates statewide. Rather than guessing at your odds, review the documented outcomes in NDREB Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows so you calibrate your prep effort realistically. And if you're still confirming basic terminology before diving into domain content, What Is NDREB? and NDREB Meaning are useful starting points.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. PSI allows you to test on one or both portions during a scheduled session, and the $134 fee applies whether you take one or both. You can pass one portion and retake only the failed portion later.
No. The exam is closed book and personal calculators are prohibited, so Domain 11 questions must be solved manually within the allotted time.
PSI may add 5 to 10 unscored experimental questions to the National portion. You won't know which ones they are, so answer every question with full effort.
You may retake a failed portion without limit during a 12-month period, though each attempt requires paying the applicable PSI fee again.
Contracts at 19% is the single largest National weight, followed by Agency at 13% and Practice of Real Estate at 12%. Together these three domains make up 44% of the National score.
Keep this page bookmarked as your final-week reference, and pair it with timed practice sessions on our full-length practice tests to confirm the numbers above feel automatic before you sit down at the PSI testing center.